Punjab Government Plans Artificial Rain in Lahore on Nov 28 to Combat Smog

The caretaker government in Punjab has decided to implement artificial rain in Lahore on November 28 to address the escalating air pollution crisis in the provincial capital. The decision was made during a special meeting chaired by the interim Chief Minister, Mohsin Naqvi, who declared a health emergency earlier in the week. As part of the measures, Section 144 was imposed in eight districts, including Lahore, Gujranwala, and Hafizabad, leading to the closure of schools, offices, markets, and various public spaces on Saturday.

Furthermore, the provincial government announced the closure of educational institutions and offices across Punjab on November 18 to combat the worsening smog situation. Lahore, with a population of 11 million, consistently ranks as one of the most polluted cities, prompting urgent actions to mitigate the impact of smog. Despite the implementation of these measures, the Meteorological Department reported no likelihood of rain in Lahore within the next 24 hours, exacerbating the challenges faced by residents. Medical experts are advising precautionary measures for individuals leaving their homes due to the heightened air pollution, with the overall Air Quality Index reaching 245.